Mr Fisher said there was still a long way to go in his son's recovery but Peter was hoping to return to work and the fire service.

"We just want to see continued improvement now and he wants to get back to work in the flooring industry as soon as possible.

"That obviously won't happen for a while, because there's a lot of heavy work involved.

"So it's a case of him getting his strength back.

"And he loves the fire brigade, so he's wanting to go back there as well.

"There's probably the odd thing he can do down there, taking bit of training, but he will have to get the OK before he can do that."

Peter Fisher is still walking with the help of a cane and has some paralysis on his left side.

Martinborough man Milton Haira, 25, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, as well as assaulting four teenage girls and threatening to kill three members of the group.

He was remanded in custody without plea until Friday, when he will reappear in the Masterton District Court.